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UPDATED: Cardinal George Says Same-Sex Marriage Is 'Against The Common Good', Do You Agree?

Cardinal Francis George releases a strongly worded letter as the State Legislature moves closer to a vote on gay marriage.

 

As gay marriage moves closer to a vote in the Illinois General Assembly, Cardinal Francis George has released a letter attacking the notion of same- sex marriage itself and urging Catholics to voice their objections.

A full floor vote was delayed Thursday, though an Illinois Senate Executive Committee did approve it, according to the Huffington Post. Despite the delay, proponents say the bill could still ultimately be approved.

Illinois would become the 10th state in the country to allow same-sex marriages.

In his letter, George argued that because same-sex marriages cannot be consummated and are not undertaken for the purpose of conceiving children that government, "has no power to create something that nature itself tells us is impossible."

He qualifies his argument by writing that the Catholic church offers support for the gay community through various ministries. George argues that opposition to the potential law is crucial because of societal acceptance same-sex marriage would gain if it is viewed as legal. 

"Human dignity and human rights are then reduced to the whims of political majorities," he writes. 

Supporters of same-sex marriage have long argued that legalization is a human rights issue and the restriction of marriage rights to heterosexual couples is its own form of discrimination. 

The law would force no religious institutions to perform same-sex marriages. 

Gay marriage has been gaining support nationally at a comparatively rapid rate in recent years. Recent polls have consistently indicated that over half of Americans support it. That number spikes to 72 percent of Americans between 18 and 29 years of age, according to a CBS News poll.  

  • Should Illinois Legalize Same-Sex Marriage?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Yes. It's the right thing to do.
        5 (55%)
    • No. I don't support it.
        4 (44%)
    Total votes: 9
    • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: Cardinal Francis George, Catholic Church, Gay Marriage, and same-sex marriage

Sandra Sims

7:53 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013

Pretty sure that predatory pedophiles are against the common good, but the church seems to be ok with them....

Reply

Benjamin Dover

8:14 am on Friday, January 4, 2013

A few questions for the Cardinal George

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. Can I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. What do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know contact is not allowed with my wife during her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15:19-24). The problem is: how do I tell? I have tried asking, but she takes offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states that he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask other good Christians to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that, even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there "degrees" of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

Reply

Local

9:49 am on Friday, January 4, 2013

I'm no Bible Thumper, but if you made these kinds of comments about Muslims they would be screaming "Hate Crime" and probably attack the U.S. Consulate in Grayslake....

Reply

Charles

7:39 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013

And we all know just how upstanding the Catholic church has been with regards to human rights through the ages. Let's all stand up and give them an applause.

Reply

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